Senior Capstone Design Day showcases student innovation and real-world impact
The James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering recently held its Senior Capstone Design Day, showcasing innovative projects developed by graduating Wayne State University engineering and computer science students. Teams applied their engineering knowledge to create practical solutions, with awards recognizing excellence in technical achievement, impact, and user experience.
The top prize at the event went to two students — David Engnell and Andrew DeFillipi — from the Engineering Technology Division who, under the guidance of Associate Professor Mohsen Ayoobi, designed a mobile solution to improve efficiency in advanced manufacturing.
“Capstone Design Day is a culmination of everything our students have learned throughout their time at Wayne State,” said Leslie Monplaisir, associate dean for academic and student affairs. “It’s always inspiring to see them apply their skills to meaningful projects that address real needs in industry and society.”
Three of the four award-winning teams were from the Department of Computer Science and under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Seyed Ziae Mousavi Mojab.
“These students showcased not only technical skill, but also creativity and a deep understanding of real-world challenges,” he said. “Their projects reflect thoughtful design aimed at improving lives in areas like education, sustainability and campus life.”
First Place: Mobile Radio Frequency Identification Cart for CNC Processes
David Engnell, Andrew DeFillipi
Engineering Technology Division
Advisor: Mohsen Ayoobi
This project addresses delays in CNC machining caused by RFID tool data errors. The team developed a mobile RFID cart that enables on-site tool data correction, cutting downtime and boosting productivity. Equipped with a Siemens PLC, HMI interface and BALLUF RFID components, the cart is cost-effective, portable and adaptable to evolving manufacturing needs.
Second Place: Acuitii
Dawlat Hamad, Imad Hoballah, Akqib Hussain, Domenic Zarza
Department of Computer Science
Advisor: Seyed Ziae Mousavi Mojab
Acuitii expands its interactive learning platform to the web, increasing accessibility and offering new features such as multiplayer games, crossword puzzles and gamified progress tools. With options for personalized content, user search and a token-based premium system, Acuitii aims to stand out in the edtech space.
Third Place: Florette
Mutahhara Jannat, Yumna Jahangir, Kunjal Parajuli, Iqra Shakeel
Department of Computer Science
Advisor: Seyed Ziae Mousavi Mojab
Florette is a mobile app that helps users care for their plants with ease. Built with React Native and Firebase, the app provides tailored plant care guides, personalized suggestions and timely reminders. Designed to be accessible for users of all experience levels, Florette addresses the shortcomings of existing plant care apps by focusing on usability and free access to core features.
Students’ Choice Award: Campus Marketplace
Nazeer Abuchaar, Susmita Ghosh, Talal Hussain, Duaa Saeed
Department of Computer Science
Advisor: Seyed Ziae Mousavi Mojab
Campus Marketplace offers a safer and more relevant alternative to platforms like Facebook Marketplace for student communities. The app verifies users through school emails, includes student-centric product categories and provides features such as live chat, user ratings and OpenAI-powered product descriptions — all deployed on a modern stack for fast, secure use.
Capstone Design Day gave students the opportunity to demonstrate the technical skills and problem-solving abilities they’ve developed throughout their academic careers. The projects reflected a strong focus on practical application, industry relevance and user-centered design — preparing these soon-to-be graduates to contribute immediately in professional engineering roles.